Following a pilot in other areas of Scotland, Adult Disability Payment opened for new applications across Ayrshire from 25 July 2022, before coming into general operation elsewhere in Scotland on 29 August 2022. For claimants in Scotland Adult Disability Payment replaces the Department for Work and Pensions benefits Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance for adults.
Any new claims from 25 July 2022 for adults under pension age, with an Ayrshire postcode, will be made for Adult Disability Payment.
Existing claims of Personal Independence Payment were transferred over to Adult Disability Payment by the end of 2025.
Disability Living Allowance for adults, aged 18 years and over, were transferred over to Adult Disability Payment when reporting a change, asking to move, or when the DLA award was due to end or be reviewed.
If you were born after 8 April 1948, and have not moved to Adult Disability Payment your benefit moves to the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (DLA), which was introduced in Spring 2025.
If you were born on or before 8 April 1948, you will not move to Adult Disability Payment. Instead you move to Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (DLA), which was introduced in Spring 2025.
Payments will then be made by Social Security Scotland instead of the Department for Work and Pensions.
For more information and to find out if you are eligible to claim, visit mygov.scot – Adult Disability Payment
Apply online from 25th July 2022
Phone and paper applications
You can call Social Security Scotland by phone to start an application for an adult.
Freephone: 0800 182 2222 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
You will be asked for some details about the applicant so that Social Security Scotland can start your application. They will then send you a paper application to complete and return in a prepaid envelope.
Read our hints and tips on Adult Disability Payment.
Getting help to apply
The Social Security Scotland Local Delivery service can help you to apply for Adult Disability Payment.